by Dr Frank Pyke, VIS Executive Director (1990 - 2006)

The first priority at the VIS is our athletes - they are the reason for our existence. Whenever there is a decision to be made regarding the best direction to take, or the most appropriate program or policy to implement, we always ask the question: Is it going to benefit our athletes?

It is our pledge to try to provide athletes with the best coaching, the most modern and effective sports science and sports medicine services, a supportive career and education program, and the most appropriate competitive opportunities available. In short, we aim to provide them with development programs of the highest order.

Firstly, all athletes come to us with natural talent - inborn physical and mental gifts that provide critical performance advantages but which must be honed carefully to ensure that they reach their full potential. However, simply becoming a VIS scholarship holder does not, in itself, guarantee success. During time with us, we believe that it is each athlete's responsibility to develop attributes that improve both their sports performance and their life skills

In order to utilise their talent, VIS athletes must make a firm committment to regular and consistent training and competition. Sport should not be the only activity in their life but it must be given the highest priority. This will require dedication, determination and discipline. This level of commitment is fuelled by a PASSION for the sport. The best athletes love to train and love to compete.

VIS athletes should work systematically to a plan, and be directed by a set of goals. These should be realistic and achievable, and aimed at eradicating any weaknesses that limit performance. Short-term goals should focus on the process of improving. You simply cannot afford to ignore your faults. Longer-term goals or dreams are important for maintaining motivation.

Patience and perseverance are essential if these goals are to be reached. What has been termed a "relentless persistence" is the virtue of most champions or champion teams. Champions always seem to find something extra when it counts. At the VIS, we encourage a willingness to continue the struggle when others have conceded that it is too difficult.

The successful athlete has been able to reach an ideal balance between the physical and mental attributes required for the sport. In addition, we seek BALANCE in life by placing a high priority on the personal and career development of athletes. Hence our slogan, "Success in sport and life".

All-round physical and mental development provides the athlete with sufficient versatility to cope with most situations presented in the sport. These include a range of playing conditions, opponents and circumstances that occur during the course of training and competition.
Linked with this is a willingness to try different approaches to training and competition. You might call this being CREATIVE or having FLAIR or simply DARING TO BE DIFFERENT, but it can often provide a critical edge over an opponent that can become the difference between winning and losing.

Through training and competition, VIS athletes aim to develop self- confidence and independence. They think for themselves and rely on their own efforts to achieve success. They take responsibility for their own performance and, in the process, feel empowered.
VIS athletes must aim to represent themselves and their sport with distinction both in terms of their performance on the sporting field and with their general presentation and behaviour. They should also abide by the rules of fair play and not take any unfair advantage of their opponents.

Finally, VIS athletes should be loyal to themselves, their families, their team members, their coach, their club, their sport and of course, the VIS. This is evidenced by their willingness to assist at all times with the promotion and development of their sport, and the various organisations that support them.

In the beginning, it is unlikely that our athletes will be able to fulfil all these expectations. Acquiring these attributes is part of the development process. Athletes should remember that for improvements to occur, changes will need to be made. Self-satisfaction has never yet led to progress. It simply maintains the status quo, which may not be good enough to reach the ultimate goal of BECOMING THE BEST.

Dr Frank Pyke
August 1998